|
The Trinity Church e-Tower
for
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
June 28, 2026
8 AM and 10 AM Worship
| | |
Dear Friends,
There is so much life that happens in and around Trinity Church, and one of the great privileges of being your rector is getting to see and participate in so much of that life. I often find myself wishing that somehow all of you could see the full scope of Trinity's ministry along with me. Because anytime I show up somewhere for ministry, Trinity Church is showing up for ministry. And that means that you have been part of something wonderful too! So I want to use this space today to tell you about our shared ministry over last weekend so that you know what you've been up to!
On Saturday morning Trinity Church commended one of her members to God in a small funeral service held at Belmont Chapel in the Island Cemetery. We remembered Nanette Herrick's life and the love she shared, and we listened to the beautiful violin music played by members of the Newport String Project. We committed her ashes to the ground, and covered her urn with flowers.
On Saturday afternoon Trinity Church celebrated and blessed the marriage of Lydia Cotter and Cogan Wade. Three hundred people gathered in the church and announced WE WILL with enthusiasm when I asked if they would uphold these two persons in their marriage. When I grasped their hands in mine and pronounced them husband and wife, Lydia and Cogan burst into tears (and then so did I, but I don't think they noticed - thank goodness).
On Sunday morning Trinity Church had two meaningful church services, Bible Study, and Coffee Hour. We welcomed old friends, and new visitors. We sang and prayed and shared Eucharist. This part of the weekend - I know - you are familiar with, but just because we do it often doesn't make it any less notable.
On Sunday afternoon Trinity Church participated in a Service of Celebration and Blessing at the Center for Black History. We gathered with leaders of different faith traditions and there was such a deep richness in the diversity and unity that we experienced in our prayers and celebration. The house and grounds of the center were blessed indeed.
On Sunday afternoon Trinity Church welcomed some of her members to the choir loft, where they shared stories and snacks, got to know one another, and gazed down at our beautiful church in a unique moment on a quiet summer evening. New friendships were formed, and I think we all left feeling gratitude for the time we had just shared together.
On Sunday evening the rector of Trinity Church collapsed on the couch at home - a little bit tired - but with a heart that was so full from two days of sharing the most profound moments of life with hundreds of different people.
Please don't ever forget that the ministry of Trinity Church extends so far beyond our worship on Sunday mornings. It's your support of this ministry - your presence, your stewardship, your shared gifts - that allow me to represent us in this church and in our community.
I am so grateful for what we are able to do together. Thank you for trusting me as your rector!
Meaghan
| |
Our Legacy … The Pulpit
We know our pulpit is unique. We certainly know it is beautiful and makes manifest the finest of Colonial Georgian craftsmanship. It is the only one of its kind in the country. It was completed with the church building in 1726 and is the only remaining three-tiered, freestanding, central-aisle wineglass pulpit still in its original position in the United States. If we added the phrase, “in continuous use,” we would have a truly familiar Newport superlative … and we do! The fact is, this rare 18th-century architectural marvel has been in continual use for 300 years—proclaiming the Word of God—while steadfastly preserved and anchored in the place where master builder, Richard Munday, first envisioned it.
Because the pulpit is placed directly in the center aisle, it creates a sense of closeness and intimacy between the preacher and the congregation—allowing eye contact with both the floor box pews and the mezzanine balconies—while each one of the 10 steps in the staircase climbed intentionally representing a commandment. The upper level—the main pulpit, a polygonal box for preaching; the middle level—the reading desk for the lector and; the lower level—used by the parish clerk, in years long past, to lead responses to psalms, take attendance and ensure all box pew taxes were current! While many colonial churches in America, such as Boston’s Old North Church, had similar central pulpits, as research shows, all but ours have been removed or shifted to the sides to improve views of the altar. In past centuries, clearly Trinity rectors placed great emphasis on their sermons as they could last one hour … or several—making our “nodding rods” not just a novelty, but a necessity!
In the mid 19th century, the then 130 year-old church building must have seemed out of fashion and antiquated to the new rector, Reverend Alexander G. Mercer. From the time of his arrival at Trinity in 1855, he was uncomfortable preaching from the high pulpit with the massive sounding board suspended overhead. At first he had it raised and when this did nothing to relieve the “depressing effect” on him, he had it removed, to the consternation of many parishioners. In order to get it out of the building, it had to be sawed in two. After continued protest, he reluctantly restored it to its rightful place in 1859. He would leave his post—and the pulpit—the following year. Our pulpit and board have since remained … in place and in tact.
J. Clark, with J. Hattendorf
A Sentiment Shared Through Time?
| Meaghan's son Sam seems to agree with Reverand Mercer, as expressed in this artistic rendering when his mother first accepted the position here at Trinity. | | | | | |
Do you know a child who loves to sing"?
Over the next few weeks the Choir School of Newport County is auditioning new singers ages 8-12 for the 26-27 season.
Reach out to
Kate Longo or
Peter Berton for more information.
| | | |
A Trinity 300 Event
Friday, July 10
5:00 pm - 7:00 PM
Panel Discussion
Trinity Church in collaboration with the Newport Restoration Foundation invite you to a celebration of Queen Anne Square’s 50th anniversary.
Beginning in 1969, Trinity Church and the Newport Restoration Foundation worked closely with the Newport Redevelopment Agency to create a “square recalling the best of the nation’s colonial past for the inspiration of present and future generations.” The square was dedicated to the public in July of 1976 by Queen Elizabeth II and has remained an important communal space for public gathering and memory.
Join us in the Hawes Room in Honyman Hall for a conversation with a panelist of historians, scholars, and preservation leaders to reflect on the legacy of Queen Anne Square and the impact of the mid-century preservation movement on the city of Newport—and the United States.
A reception will follow on the deck of the Glenn Family Center, with light refreshments and jazz music presented by Puddingstone featuring the Alan Bernstein Quartet will follow the discussion.
While this program is free and open to all, we ask that you kindly rsvp here
The panel will be located in Honeyman Hall, but may be moved to the church if more space is needed. This program is part of Trinity Church’s 300th anniversary celebrations and is a Newport250 event, commemorating the story of our nation.
The panel includes:
Rebecca Bertrand, Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society
Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Newport County
Ronald J. Onorato, Emeritus Professor of Art and Architectural History at the University of Rhode Island
Keith Stokes, Rhode Island Historian Laureate
Moderated by Gina Tangorra, Director of Engagement at the Newport Restoration Foundation
| |
A note about Parking
The vestry has recently decided to stop the practice of parking on the lawn in front of our historic church building.
We are conscious that parking can be challenging when coming to Trinity. We will continue to work to make visitor and handicap parking available, and we will work towards creative solutions in the future! In the meantime we'd like to preserve the lawn and keep that area clear.
The pass for the Mary St. Lot can be downloaded off the internet or picked up in the back of the church on Sundays.
Thanks for your care with this matter!
| | | | |
Tower Lighting
The tower will be lit on June 30th to the glory of God,
and in memory of Larry Glenn on the anniversary of his birth in 1938
By: Carmen Partridge
| | | |
Sunday, June 28
8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. - Worship
9:00 a.m. - Bible Study in the Glenn Family Center
Monday, June 29
5:30 p.m.- Community Meal
Wednesday, July 1
12 p.m.- Healing Service in the church
12 p.m.- Men's Bible Study on zoom
Saturday, July 4
1:30 p.m.- Wedding at Trinity
Sunday, July 5
8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. - Worship
9:00 a.m. - Bible Study in the Glenn Family Center
| | |
Trinity Loves and Cares
Trinity Loves and Cares is a ministry of pastoral care of praying for and providing support to members of Trinity Church for July 2026, the TLC coordinator is
Kay Winston Click on her name and you can write her an email.
Prayer Shawl Group
This group meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month in the Hawes Room. All those who crochet or knit, experienced or inexperienced are welcomed to join. Please contact Pam Alexander for more information.
Community Meal
Join an amazing Newport community service and work with fun good-hearted people. You will go home knowing you made a difference in a person’s day. Please consider volunteering at the Community Meals, the 1st, 4th and 5th Monday of the month. You can sign up here:
Community Meal Calendar Sign Up.
Men's Bible Study Group
Wednesdays, 12 noon. Please Contact John Gilmartin if you are interested in Joining this special group who often meet by Zoom.
| | | | We give thanks this month for the June birthdays of Dana Staats (Baker), Mary de Pinho, Phoebe Livingston, Wayne Porter, Jodi Rodrigues, Meryl Moore, Charlotte Johnson, Caroline Clark, Connor Skeehan, Jonathan Myers, Phyllis Lohrum, and Lyle Confrey. | | |
Worship Participants
Sunday, June 28th
Preacher & Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Meaghan Kelly Brower
Acolyte & Crucifer: 8:00 am Larry Pulice; 10:00 am Phoebe Livingston
Lectors & Intercessor: 8:00 am Mary de Pinho; 10:00 am Karen Nash
Organist: John Trotter
Cantors: Joseph Burdick
Ushers: Norris Commodore, Larry Pulice, Harle Tinney
Altar Society: Lisa Trainor, Pam Alexander, Terry Commodore, Peggy Hersam
Coffee Hour: Ellen and Jim Patterson
Tour Guide: Harle Tinney
| | | | |
